Relatively flat blank for a container and the container made therefrom

ABSTRACT

A container is fabricated from first and second sections, each of which includes a central sector and wing sectors connected on opposite sides thereof. Each of the sections is foldable into a U-shape and the two sections are interengageable with each other to form a parallelepiped structure enclosing a chamber. One or more of the wing sectors have hooks formed therein for interengagement with hooks on the wing sector of the other of the sections for locking the sections together. The first and second sections may be separate parts or, as an alternative, may be integral with one another.

[ Dec.9,1975

United States Patent [191 Saveth RELATIVELY FLAT BLANK FOR A 3,675,808 7/1972 Brink 229/30 CONTAINER AND THE CONTAINER MADE THEREFROM Primary Examiner-William P'rice Assistant ExaminerStephen P. Garbe 76 Inventor: Saul Sa th, 132-29 33 d A 1 FluShingNX' 11354 I Attorney, Agent, or FzrmRoberts & Cohen [22] Filed: Nov. 22, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A container is fabricated from first and second sec- [21] Appl. No.: 526,371

tions, each of which includes a central sector and wing sectors connected on opposite sides thereof. Each of [52] US. Cl........ 229/23 AB; 220/62; 220/DIG. 25;

the sections is foldable into a U-shape and the two 229/33; 229/41 B B65D 1l/10; B65D 11/22 220/DIG. 25, 62, DIG. 15;

sections are interengageable with each other to form a [51] Int. [58] Field of searchumu parallelepiped structure enclosing a chamber. One or 229/23 AB 30 41 B 33 more of the wing sectors have hooks formed therein for interengagement with hooks on the wing sector of [56] References Cited the other of the sections for locking the sections to- UNITED STATES PATENTS gether. The first and second sections may be separate parts or, as an alternative, may be integral with one another.

220/62 229/37 E Bellamy.....,.......................... 220/62 15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Millice Sheet 2 of 3 US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 FIELD oF INVENTION This invention relates to collapsible containers and to foldable flat blanks which are adapted for being formed into a container.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved container structure fabricated in generally flat form and constituted of one or more blanks adapted for being folded to provide the final container structure.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved container structure adapted for being fabricated from blanks which are readily stacked for storage and, when so stacked, will not shift or move relative to one another.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved container blank adapted for being coated for strength and having the ability to receive color printing and the like on one surface thereof whereas the other surface can remain in its original condition.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved container structure which is moisture proof and which is especially suitable for use as cake boxes and the like. a

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved container design which is readily adaptable to various sizes and which is readily adapted to have insulation qualities.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction for containers which is especially suitable for the application of graphics.

To achieve the above and other objects of the invention, there is provided a collapsible container structure comprising first and second sections. These sections each include hingeably connected generally quadrilateral central and wing sectors with the wing sectors being connected on opposite sides of the central sector so that each central sector has two opposite edge sizes and two further sides connected to the associated wing sectors. The sectors of the first section correspond at least substantially in size and shape to the sectors of the second section. The sections are each foldable into a U-shape and are interengageable with each other to form a parallelepiped structure enclosing a chamber. Each wing sector has a side connected to the associated central sector and an opposite parallel side. Each wing sector further has two lateral sides extending between the first two said sides thereof. Means are provided on the lateral-sides of at least one of the wing sectors of each section for locking the said wing sectors together.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid first and second sections are separate parts and each said parallel side is a free side and each said edge side is also a free side.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first and second sections are integral with one another.

According to a feature of the invention, each central sector is provided with grooves extending along and adjacent the free sides thereof for receiving and accommodating the free sides of the wing sectors of the other section. I i j According to another feature of the invention, each wing sector is provided with a channel extending along the free and lateral sides thereof and at least in part providing for strengthening the associated wing sector as well as providing for stacking purposes.

According to still a further feature of the invention, the aforesaid means includes hook shaped members on the lateral side of the wing sectors.

In further accordance with the invention, the wing sectors are provided adjacent said lateral sides with holes and slits connected to said holes to separate the hook-shaped members in major part from the lateral sides. Moreover, the hook-shaped members extend in generally cantilever manner along the lateral sides.

In accordance with the invention, the section may be, for example, of expanded polystyrene foam. As an alternative, the sections may be made of transparent plastic material.

According to a further feature of the invention, each wing sector includes a lip at each free side outwardly of the related channel, the lip being adapted for insertion into a groove of the central sector of the other section with the related channel of the related wing sector resting on the latter said central sector.

In the aforesaid construction, the grooves may preferably be rectilinear. Moreover, the channels may include three rectilinear portions.

In the embodiment of the invention wherein the first and second sections are integral with one another, one parallel side of one wing sector is connected to one edge side of the central sector of the other section. In this construction, each central sector is provided with a groove adjacent at least one edge side. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least one wing sector for each section is provided with a channel extending along and adjacent the parallel and lateral sides thereof.

In further accordance with the invention, a relatively flat blank for a container is provided which comprises a quadrilateral central sector and two wing sectors hingeably connected on opposite sides of the central sector, said central sector having two first sides connected to the wing sectors and two parallel sides extending between the first sides and being provided with a groove extending along at least one of said parallel sides, said wing sectors including spaced parallel sides, one of which is connected to said central sector, and lateral sides connected between the latter said parallel sides, there being furthermore provided hook means on the lateral side of at least one wing sector and a channel being provided in the latter said wing sector.

According to a further feature of the invention, the latter said wing sector is provided with a hole and connecting slot to separate each hook means. Furthermore, a second central sector and two further wing sectors hingeably connected to said central sector may be provided, said central second sector being connected to one of the parallel sides of one of the wing sectors.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be found in the detailed description which follows hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view in cross-section taken along 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view ofa closed container utilizing blanks of the shape illustrated in FIG. 1 with the blanks being made of different materials; and

FIG. 6 is a blank provided in accordance with the invention but modified'to constitute a second embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As has been noted hereinabove, there is provided in accordance with the invention, a blank adapted for being folded to constitute by itself or in combination with another like blank a container. The blank is of generally flat form although channels and grooves as well as score lines may be provided therein which will give the blank a three-dimensional characteristic although the blank will generally be regarded as flat in form.

In FIG. '1 is shown a blank constituting one section of a container for which two such blanks will generally be employed. This blank includes a central sector 10 and two wing sectors 12 and 14.

The central sector is provided with two free or edge sides 16 and 18 adjacent which runs a parallel rectilinear groove 20 or 22. In addition, the central sector is provided with two further sides 24 and 26 at which hinged connection is made with the wing sectors 12 and 14.

The wing sector 12 is provided with parallel sides 28 and 30, one of which is hingedly connected to the side 24 of the central sector 10 whereas side 28 constitutes a free side. Wing sector 14 includes parallel sides 32 and 34 of which side 32 is hingedly connected to side 26 of central sector 10 whereas side 34 is a free side.

In addition to the above, wing sector 12 is provided with lateral sides 36 and 38 whereas wing sector 16 is provided with lateral sides 40 and 42.

Wing sector 12 is further provided with holes 44 and 46 to which are connected slits or slots 48 and 50. The

presence of these holes and slots forms hook members 52 and 54 which are substantially separated from the associated wing sector but which are nevertheless connected in cantilever manner to the same.

Wing sector 14 is similarly constituted being provided with holes 56 and 58 to which are connected slits or slots 60 and 62 forming hook sections 64 and 66. The purpose of the hooks or hook-like members will be explained hereinafter.

It will be noted that the central and wing sectors are generally quadrilateral in shape, the central sector being generally in the form of a square with the wing sectors 12 and 14 being generally in the form of modified rectangles.

In addition to the above, it will be noted that the wing sector 12 is provided with a channel 68 which is of U- shape and thereby includes rectilinear sections 70, 72

and 74 whereof sections 72 and 74 run parallel to the lateral sides 36 and 38 whereas central section 70 runs parallel to free side 28. Wing sector 14 is similarly constituted being provided with a U-shaped channel 76 including rectilinear section 78 and lateral sectors 80 and 82.

It can be seen from an examination of FIG. 2 that two. sections 90 and 92 are employed to make a container, both of these sections being bent into generally U- shape and being interengaged in cross-wise relation to form a parallelepiped construction enclosing a chamber. It will further be seen that the hook members are interengaged such as indicated at 94 to lock the sections together, as a consequence whereof, no additional force or retaining arrangement is necessary for purposes of forming a container of relatively strong construction.

In addition to the above, it will be noted that, for example, the groove 22 of section 92 is adapted to receive the lip 94 which is formed in the sector 14 outwardly of the associated channel 76.

Referring next to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the channel 76 and the associated lip 94 are so formed in relation to the depth of the groove 22 that the lip 94 will abut in the bottom of channel 22 whereas the channel 74 will abut as indicated at 96 on the lip 98 which is formed outwardly of the groove 22.

The engagement between, for example, the hook members 54 of two separate sections appears on enlarged scale in FIG. 4, this being a representative cross-, section along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates the version of the invention illustrated and described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4 but in which the section 100 is made of a generally opaque material such as expanded polystyrene foam. The section 102 in this case is, however, manufactured of, any clear and transparent plastic having suitable strength and adapted to cooperate with the section 100 in the manner generally indicated hereinabove.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein the first and second sections and 112 are connected together as indicated generally at 114.

In this embodiment of the invention, section 110 includes a central sector 116 and wing sectors 118 and 120 connected thereto. For this purpose, wing sector 118 includes parallel sides 122 and 124 whereas wing sector 120 includes parallel sides 126 and 128. Sides 122 and 126 are hingeably connected to first sides 130 and 132 of central sector 116 whereas side 124 of sector 118 is a free side and side 128 is connected to side 134 of central sector 136 of the section 112.

As in the aforegoing embodiment of the invention, central sector 116 is provided with parallel sides 138 and 140 adjacent which are arranged rectilinear parallel grooves 142 and 144.

The section 116 is moreover provided with wing sectors 146 and 148 having free sides 150 and 152 adjacent which are arranged parallel U-shaped channels 154 and 158.

Wing sector 118 of section 110 may be provided with a U-shaped channel such as indicated at and wing sector 120 is provided with a U-shaped channel which may be optional and is indicated at 162.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention appearing in FIG. 6, section 110 is provided with hook members 168 and 170 adapted for engagement with hook members 172 and 174. The blank may optionally also be provided with hook members 176 and 178 as well as with hook members 180 and 182 which may also be employed for interim engagement.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 may be generally regarded to be similar to that described hereinabove in that two sections are provided, each of which are adapted to be bent into a U-shaped form and interengaged to form a parallelepiped construction for enclosing a chamber in which may be accommodated, for example, a cake or a pie or some other such commodity which is intended to be transported as well as shielded against the ambient atmosphere.

From what has been indicated hereinabove, it will now be appreciated that the invention relates to a container adapted for being formed from one or more collapsible blanks constituted by first and second sections, each including hingeably connected generally quadrilateral central and wing sectors with the wing sectors being connected on opposite sides of the central sector so that each central sector has two opposite edge sides and two further sides connected to the associated wing sectors, the sectors of the first section corresponding at least substantially in size and shape to the sectors of the second section, the sections each being foldable into a U-shape and being interengageable with each other to form a parallelepiped structure enclosing a chamber, each wing sector having a side connected to the associated central sector and an opposite parallel side, each wing sector further having two lateral sides extending between the first two said sides thereof, there being furthermore provided means on the lateral sides of at least one of the wing sectors of each section for locking the said one wing sectors together.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the structures set forth hereinabove. These modifications and variations will not depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A collapsible container comprising first and second separate sections each including hingeably connected, generally quadrilateral central and wing sectors with the wing sectors being connected on opposite sides of the central sector so that each central sector has two opposite free edge sides and two further sides connected to the associated wing sectors, the sectors of the first section corresponding at least substantially in size and shape to the sectors of the second section, the sections each being foldable into a U-shape and being interengageable with each other to form a parallelepiped structure enclosing a chamber, each wing sector having a side connected to the associated central sector and an opposite parallel free side, each wing sector further having two lateral sides extending between the first two said sides thereof, and hook-shaped members on the lateral sides of said wing sectors of each section for locking the wing sectors together, each central sector being provided with grooves extending along and adjacent the free sides thereof for receiving and accommodating the free sides of the wing sectors of the other section, each wing sector being provided with a channel extending along the free and lateral sides thereof and at least in part providing for strengthening the associated wing sector.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second sections are integral.

3. A container as claimed. in claim 1 wherein said wing sectors are provided, adjacent said lateral sides, with holes and slits connected to said holes to separate the hook-shaped members in major part from the lateral sides, the hook-shaped members extending in generally cantilever manner along said lateral sides.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of said sections is of expanded polystyrene foam.

5. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of said sections is of a transparent plastic material.

6. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein each wing sector includes a lip at each free side outwardly of the related channel, said lip being adapted for insertion into a groove of the central sector of the other section with the related channel of the related wing sector resting on the latter said central sector.

7. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said grooves are rectilinear.

8. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said channels include three rectilinear portions.

9. A container as claimed in. claim 1 wherein one parallel side of one wing sector is connected to one edge side of the central sector of the other section.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9 wherein each central section is provided with a groove adjacent at least one edge side.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein at least one wing sector for each section is provided with a channel extending along and adjacent the parallel and lateral sides thereof.

12. A container as claimed. in claim 1 wherein said U-shape sections are interengaged in cross-wise relation with one another to form the parallelpiped structure.

13. A relatively flat blank for a container comprising a quadrilateral central sector and two wing sectors hingeably connected on opposite sides of the central sector, said central sector having two first sides connected to the wing sectors and two parallel sides extending between the first sides and being provided with a groove extending along at Ileast one of said parallel sides, said wing sectors including spaced parallel sides one of which is connected to said central sector and lateral sides connected between the latter said parallel sides, and hook means on the lateral sides of at least one wing sector, a channel being provided in the latter said wing sector.

14. A blank as claimed in claim 13 wherein the latter said wing sector is provided with a hole and connecting slot to separate each said hook means.

15. A blank as claimed in claim 13 comprising a second central sector and two further wing sectors hingeably connected to said central sector, said second central sector being connected to one of the parallel sides of one of the wing sectors. 

1. A collapsible container comprising first and second separate sections each including hingeably connected, generally quAdrilateral central and wing sectors with the wing sectors being connected on opposite sides of the central sector so that each central sector has two opposite free edge sides and two further sides connected to the associated wing sectors, the sectors of the first section corresponding at least substantially in size and shape to the sectors of the second section, the sections each being foldable into a U-shape and being interengageable with each other to form a parallelepiped structure enclosing a chamber, each wing sector having a side connected to the associated central sector and an opposite parallel free side, each wing sector further having two lateral sides extending between the first two said sides thereof, and hook-shaped members on the lateral sides of said wing sectors of each section for locking the wing sectors together, each central sector being provided with grooves extending along and adjacent the free sides thereof for receiving and accommodating the free sides of the wing sectors of the other section, each wing sector being provided with a channel extending along the free and lateral sides thereof and at least in part providing for strengthening the associated wing sector.
 2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second sections are integral.
 3. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wing sectors are provided, adjacent said lateral sides, with holes and slits connected to said holes to separate the hook-shaped members in major part from the lateral sides, the hook-shaped members extending in generally cantilever manner along said lateral sides.
 4. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of said sections is of expanded polystyrene foam.
 5. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of said sections is of a transparent plastic material.
 6. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein each wing sector includes a lip at each free side outwardly of the related channel, said lip being adapted for insertion into a groove of the central sector of the other section with the related channel of the related wing sector resting on the latter said central sector.
 7. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said grooves are rectilinear.
 8. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said channels include three rectilinear portions.
 9. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein one parallel side of one wing sector is connected to one edge side of the central sector of the other section.
 10. A container as claimed in claim 9 wherein each central section is provided with a groove adjacent at least one edge side.
 11. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein at least one wing sector for each section is provided with a channel extending along and adjacent the parallel and lateral sides thereof.
 12. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said U-shape sections are interengaged in cross-wise relation with one another to form the parallelpiped structure.
 13. A relatively flat blank for a container comprising a quadrilateral central sector and two wing sectors hingeably connected on opposite sides of the central sector, said central sector having two first sides connected to the wing sectors and two parallel sides extending between the first sides and being provided with a groove extending along at least one of said parallel sides, said wing sectors including spaced parallel sides one of which is connected to said central sector and lateral sides connected between the latter said parallel sides, and hook means on the lateral sides of at least one wing sector, a channel being provided in the latter said wing sector.
 14. A blank as claimed in claim 13 wherein the latter said wing sector is provided with a hole and connecting slot to separate each said hook means.
 15. A blank as claimed in claim 13 comprising a second central sector and two further wing sectors hingeably connected to said central sector, said second central sector being connected to one of the parallel sides Of one of the wing sectors. 